Foldable doll-carriage.



W. G. KENNEDY 61 B. W. TUCKER,

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. G. KENNEDY &B. W. TUCKER.

FOLDABLE DOLL CARRIAGE. APPUCAIION FILED OCT. 25. I9l6- Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

3 SHEETS-PSHEET 2- w. 6., KENNEDY & B. w.- TUCKER. FOLDABLE DOLL CABRIAGE. v APPLICATION men ocT. 25. 1916. v v 1WW$o Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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WILLIAM GEoRGE KENNEDY, or NEW YoRK, N. Y., AND BENJAMIN w. TUcKER, 0E

SOUTH ORANGE, NEW ERSEY.

FOLDABLE DOLL-CARRIAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 191'7L Application filed. October 25, 1916. Serial No. 127,597.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM GEORGE KENNEDY and BENJAMIN W. TUCKER, citizens of the United States, and residents of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, and of South Orange,

I county of Essex, and State of New Jersey,

respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Doll-Can riages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to foldable doll carriages and one of the important objects of the invention is to provide a light and lIlGX- pensive doll carriage adapted to be compactly folded for storage and shipping purposes. v

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a doll carriage adapted to be compactly folded without disconnecting any of the parts of the carriage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding doll carriage in which all of the parts are permanently connected to-' gether.

Another object of the invention is to pro- I vide afolding doll carriage adapted to be constructed of light stamped sheet metal.

Inthe drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the carriage with the parts in position for use;

Fig. 2 a side elevation of the carriage with the parts in position for use;

Fig. 3 a detail sectional view on the line- IIIIII. ofFig. 2;

Fig. 4 a front elevation of the carriage with the parts in folded position;

Fig. 5 a side elevation of the carriage with the parts in folded position;

' Fig. 6 a vertical sectional view through one wheel and a portion of one axle, showing the wheel in operative position;

carriage handle joints, the parts being separatedyand Fig. 11 a detail vertical sectional view on the line XI-XI of Fig. 2. I

1 Referring to the various parts by numerals, 1 designates the body portion of the carriage and 2 the handle thereof.

e prefer to form the handle of a single tubular rod 2 provided with a cross bar 2 at itsupper end and having a flattened extension .1: at its lower end. The extension 4 of the handle is connected to a bracket 5 mounted on the rear wall of the carriage by a horizontally disposed bolt 12. The bracket 5 has a flattened outer end 5 provided with a square central aperture 5 and the flattened extension 1 of the handle is provided with a circular aperture 1? in alinement with the aperture 5 in the bracket. The head of the bolt bears against the outer face of the part 5 The shank of the bolt adjacent the head thereof is square in cross-section and this squared portion passes through the square aperture 5 and prevents the bolt from turning. Thenremaining portion of the bolt is cylindrical and passes through the aperture 4 in the handle, and is screwthreaded adjacent its outer end to receive a wing-nut 12. The adjacent faces of the flat extensions 4 and 5 are respectively provided with a diametrically extending rib 4 and a complementary diametrically extending groove 5 adapted to interlock when the nut 12 is tightened. 12 the handle may be shifted laterally on the bolt 12 to release the rib 4? from the groove 5 and the handle 2 may be swung vertically. The rib and groove are so positioned that the handle may be positively locked against movement when it is folded beneath the carriage and also when it is swung upwardly in position for use in pushing the carriage.

After the nut 12 is placed on bolt the en d of the bolt shank is headedslightly to prevent the nut from being entirely removed.

from the bolt. Sufficient space is, of course,

By loosening the nut handle members.

that if desired, a friction hinge joint similar to the joint 14, may be used between the The rod 2 of the handle is preferably curved rearwardly near its upper end as shown in Fig. 2 and made of such length that when the handle isfolded downwardly against the rear wall of the carriage the cross bar 2 will be beneath the carriage as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The carriage is preferably provided with a canopy supp,orted above ,the body portion 1 and adapted to be folded downwardly upon the upper part of the body portion of the carriage. The covering 3 of the canopy is preferablyformed oft'ex'tile material and is supported upon and held taut by the top of a vertically disposed arch-shaped support 13 and a horizontally disposed rectangular spreader-frame 15. The edgesof the covering :3 are stretched overthe spreader frame 15 and attachedthereto-in any suitable manner. =The depending side armsof the arched support 18 are pivotally connected with the opposite side walls of the body portion 1 on horizontal pivots or friction hinges l-i. The friction hinges let are preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 11. Each of the depending sidemembers13 of. thearched support is connected to a bracket 6 mounted on the sideof the carriage body bya horizontally disposed. stud having an enlarged head 7 and a cylindrical shank 8 passing through an aperture in the side member 13, said shank having a reduced cylindrical extension 9 passing through an aperture in the bracketG and headed against the inner side thereofto lockthe stud'in place. The shoulder formed at the junction of the shank 8 and reduced extension 9 pre vents the head 7 from being drawn inwardly against the side membeif13 when the outer end of the shank extension 9 is headed against thebracket 6. "This arrangement serves to alwayshold the head 7 at al fixed distance from'theside member and bracket so that the spring 11 will exert a uniform pressure on the hinged parts. A washer 10 is interposed between the adjacent faces of the side member and bracket, and the coil spring 11 is interposed between the head 7 of thestud and the adjacent face of the side member 13. The springs 11 exert sufficient pressure against the hinged members to normaillylhold the canopy in its raised position.

The rectangular spreader frame 15 is pivotally connected, at points intermediate-the ends of its longitudinally extending side me1nbers, with the sidebars of'the support 13'. a short distancebelow-the arched top cross bar of the support, by means of hori- ZOBlJEIIllY CllSPOSGd pivots or'fricti on joints 1G. These jointszlti are preferably ofythe same construction. as the friction-joints 1 1. The

r arched top. of: the support 13 extends above the horizontal spreader frame 15 when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2- and serves as a distending and supportingdevice for the covering 3. When the parts are folded as shown in Figs. 4: and 5 the support13and frame15 are in the same planeiand the covering 3 collapses anddies loosely upon the top of the folded supportmg. members.

necting web 20, the side members being bent.

inwardly to 2 form longitudinally extending shoulders21 at each sideof theaXl Pl 22 are secured to. the lower leaves of the springs 17 near each end of the springsrlw means of suitablev rivets or otherfastening devices 23. Said plates are. in turn riveted to. the webs'2O of the axles by means of rivets 2 1 as shown in Figs. 6,:7 and 9.

The stub axles 25 are mounted in the outer ends of the channel shape axles 18 on horizontal pivots 26which pass througlnbea-rings in the innerends .of the stub axles and the depending. walls 19015 the axles 18. The Ollt61.1QI'IClS-Of the pivot. pins 26 are preferably. headed against the outer surfaces of the walls 19 of;the..axles 18, .as shownin Fig. 9. :Each of thestubaxles 25 formed with a squared portion 27, the side walls of which are adapted toengage the inner surfaces of the. depending walls 19 of the axle 18 toprevent lateral play of. the stub axles, and the upper surfaceof which is adapted to contact with the .under facesof the shoulders 21 to limit the upward movement .of the stub axle. Each ofthese stub, axles is pro vided with a cylindrical collar 28 against which theinner edge of the hub of the wheel 29 abuts. The wheel is held on its stub axle b means of a cap 30 fastened to the outer end of the .stubaxle by. a screw; or other suitablefastening v#device 32. The outerlend of the hub is preferably covered by an ornamental cap 31 secured to the stubaxle by the screw32 which holds the cap '30 in place.

The undersideof each channel shapeaxle 18;v is open and the stub axles 25 are, therefore, adapted to swing downwardlyv tofold the wheels beneath thebodyportion of. the carriage, the wheels lying in a horizontal planebelowtthe axles 18. Any suitable means. may be employed for locking the stub axles 25 in alinement with the axles 18 to hold the wheels ina vertical plane in posi tion for use. The preferred form of holding or locking device shown in the drawings, is a frictionally held slide comprising a bottom wall 33 extending across the open bottom of the channel shape axle 18, and upwardly extending side walls 3e frictionally engaging the side walls 19 of the axle 18, said walls 3st being provided with inwardly extending flanges 35 slidably engaging the upper faces of the shoulders 21. The slide or looking member thus formed is preferably provided with a thumb piece 36. It will be observed that when the locking member is in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8 it closes the opening in the under side of the channel shape axle 18211101 holds the stub axle in horizontal position in alinement with axle 18, the under side of the squared portion27 of the stub axle bearing on the upper surface of the bottom wall 33 of thelocking slide.

To fold the wheels beneath the carriage, i t is only necessary to grasp the thumb pieces 36 of the locking slides and move the slides inwardly along the axles 18 until the outer ends of said slides are beyond the inner ends of, the stub axles. The stub. axles will then swing downwardly and inwardly until the wheels 1 is in a horizontal plane A pair of depending latching hooks 37 are pivotally connected to the bottom of the body portion of the carriage at points above the axles 18. These latch hooks 37 are adapted to engage beneath the axles 18 when the springs l7are compressed, as shown in Figs; 4 and 5, for the purpose of holding the axles closelyadjacent the bottom of the carriage body, to form a more compact arrangement when the carriage is folded for storing or shipping.

By the arrangement and construction of parts shown and described, an inexpensive, light and durable doll carriage is provided, which may be rapidly and very compactly folded for storing or shipping purposes, without the necessity of disconnecting any of the parts. p I,

j A feature of importance is the provision of a folding toy carriage in which all of the parts are permanently connected together. This arrangement insures the proper setting up of the toy and prevents loss of parts in shipment. It also eflectually prevents dismantling of the carriage and loss of parts thereof by children in using the toy.

Another important feature of the invention is the construction and arrangement of the parts whereby provision is made for folding the canopy in flattened condition upon the top of the body portion, with the wheels folded in a horizontal plane beneath the body portion, and the handle folded downwardly against the rear. wall of the carriage body with the cross bar beneath the carriage, thesprmgs being compressed to bring the axles and wheels closely adjacent to the bottom of the carriage where they are locked in place. By this arrangement the carriage is foldable into a very compact and substantially rectangular package.

What we claim is:

1. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, front and rear axles connected to said body portion, stub axles pivotally connected with said front and rear axles, wheels journaled 011 said stub axles and adapted to swing therewith so as to be folded under the body portion in a substantially horizontal plane, and a handle pivotally connected to said body portion and adapted to be swung downwardly against the rear wall of said body portion.

'2. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion. a handle connected to said body portion and adapted to be folded thereagainst, and a folding canopy supported above said body portion and adapted to be swung downwardly thereupon, said canopy comprising an archshaped support the depending ends of which are pivotally connected to the side walls of the body portion, a rectangular frame pivotally connected to the side members of the arch-shaped support adjacent the upper end of said side members, and a covering having its edges attached to said frame and adapted to be distended by the arched top of said support.

3. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, front and rear axles, springs interposed between said body portion and axles, wheels journaled on said axles, latching devices adapted to hold said axles closely adjacent to the body portion with the springs compressed, and a handle connectedto the body portion and adapted to be folded thereagainst.

1. In a-folding doll carriage, the combinationof a body portion, front and rear axles, springs interposed between said axles and the body portion, stub axles connected to the ends of the front and rear axles on horizontal pivots, wheels journaled on said stub axles and adapted to swing downwardly into a horizontal plane, means for holding said wheels in a vertical plane, and means for holding the front and rear axles closely adjacent to the body portion with the springs compressed.

5. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, front and rear axles, springs mounted on said axles and supporting said body portion, stub axles connected to the ends of thefront and rear axles on horizontal pivots, wheels journaled on said stub axles and adapted to swing therewith so as to be beneaththe carriage in a substantially horizontal plane, means forholding said wheels in a vertical plane,

meansforholding the front and rear axles closely adjacent the body portion with the springscompressed, and a handle connected to! the body portion. and adapted to fold thereagainst. i

6. In a. folding doll carriage, the combinationnofz. a: body.- .portion,-rfront and rear axles, springs mounted on said axles and supporting saidubody portion, stub axles connected to theicnds of :the. front andirear axles on horizontal pivots wheels journaled on said stub axles and adapted to swing therewith so. as: to be beneath the carriage in, av substantially horizontal plane, means fon holding said wheels in a vertical plane, means forholding the front and rear. axles closely adjacent the body portion with the springs compressed, a handle connected to the body vportion and adapted to fold thereagainst,=and a canopy supportedabove the body, portion :and adapted to fold downwardly thereupon.

1 7. In a: folding doll carriage, the combi nation of a body portion, channel shape front and rear axles having open under sides and ends, stub axles supported in the cndsof said 'frontand rear axles on horizontal pivots secured in the depending side walls of said channel shape axles, wheels journaled on said stub axles and adapted to swing therewithso as to fold beneath the carriage, and plates slidably mounted on said front and rear axles atseach .end and adaptedto confine the inner ends of said stub axles within the channel shape axles to hold the wheels in a vertical plane, said plates being adapted to slide inwardly along theifront and rear axles to release thestub axles.

8. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of aabody portion, channel shape front and rear axles having open under sides and, ends, springs interposed between said axles and the body portion, stubiaxles pivotally mounted in theends of said front andvrear axles on horizontal pivots, wheels journaled ,on said stub axles andadapted to swing downwardly and inwardly therewith so as .to lie ina horizontal plane, plates slidably mounted on said front and rear axles at each endand adapted to confine the inner ends of said stub axles within the channel shape axles {to hold the wheels in a vertical plane, said plates being. adapted to slide inwardly along the front and rear axles to release the stub axles, means for holding the front and rear axlesclosely adjacent the. under side of the body portion with the springs compressed, and a handle pivotally connectedito said body portion and adapted to fold thereagainst.

-,9.-In afolding :doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, channel shape front andirear axles, having open under sides and ends, springs interposed between said. axles, and the body: portion, stubaxles pivotally mounted in theencls of said front and rear axles on ihorizontal pivots, wheels journaled on said stub axles andadapted to swing downwardly and inwardly therewith so asatoa lie in aihorizontalplane, plates slidably mounted ,OIluSa/lCl fI'OIlt and rear axles at each end and adapted: to confine the innerends of saidstub'axles within the channel shape axles to hold the .wheels in avertical plane, said plates being adapted to slide inwardly along the'front and rear axles to release:=the:.stub axles, means for holding the front and rear axlescloselyadjacent "the =under side of the body portion with the springs compressed-a handlenpivotally connected to said body portion and adapted to fold downwardly against the rear wall: thereof, andv a canopy supported above saidbody portion and adapted to fold downwardly thereupon. I

10. In a foldingdoll carriage, the combination ofa body portion, front and rear axles connected to said body'portion, stub axles pivotally. connectedwith saidfront and rear axles, wheels journaledwon said stub axles and adapted to swing: therewith so as to be folded under the body-portion in a substantially horizontal plane, a handle pivotally connected to said body portion and adapted to: be swung inwardly alongside the rear wall of the body portion, and a canopy supported: above said body portion and adapted to be swung-downwardly upon the body portion.

-11. In a folding .doll carriage, the combination of abodyportion, front and rear axles connected to said-body portion, stub axles pivotally connected with said front and rear axles, wheels journaled: on said stubaxles and adapted to swing-therewith so as to be folded under the body portion in a substantially horizontal plane, means for holdingw said: wheels in a vertical plane, a handle pivotally connected: to saidbody portion and adapted to be swung inwardly alongside the rear wall of the body; portion, means for locking the handle in its folded and-extended positions,-and a canopy sup ported above saidbody portion andadapted to be folded clownwardly upon the body portion. 1

"12. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, front and rear axles,springs interposed between said body portionand axles, stub axles pivotally connected-with said front and rear axles, wheels journaled on "said stub axles and adapted to be folded beneath the body portion in a substantially horizontal plane, means for holding-said front and rear axles closely adjacent to the body portionwith the springs compressed, an upwardly and 'rearwardly curved handle pivotally connected to the rear wall of t he body portion and adapted to be folded downwardly and inwardly with its outer end extending beneath the body portion, and means for holding the handle in its folded and extended positions.

18. In a folding doll carriage, the combination of a body portion, axles connected thereto, wheels journaled on said axles, an upwardly and rearwardly curved handle pivotally connected to the rear wall of the body portion adjacent the upper edge thereof and adapted to fold downwardly and inwardly toward the rear wall of the body portion with its outer end extending beneath the body portion, and a canopy pivotally held to the body portion adjacent the rear end thereof and adapted to be folded forwardly and downwardly upon the body portion.

This specification signed this 21st day of October, A. D. 1916.

WILLIAM GEORGE KENNEDY.

BENJAMIN W. TUCKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

